Gerbera plant named Terkapol

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named Terkapol, characterized by its duplex/triplex type and flat flower form, bright yellow outer ray florets, yellow perianth lobes, dark purple disc center, and total flower diameter of 60-69 mm.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera,botanically known as Gerbera jamesonii, and referred to by the cultivarname Terkapol.

Terkapol was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor in acontrolled breeding program in De Kwakel, The Netherlands in 1988.

The female parent was a cultivar designated 87.442. The male parent wasa cultivar designated M88.330. The new cultivar was discovered andselected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the statedparentage by applicant in January 1989 in a controlled environment in DeKwakel.

The first asexual reproduction of Terkapol was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken by applicant from the initial selectionin April 1989 in a controlled environment in De Kwakel, The Netherlands.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in November 1989has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Terkapol are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar ispresently being propagated by cuttings and by tissue culture.

Terkapol has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in the greenhouse of Terra Nigra BV in De Kwakel, The Netherlandsunder controlled conditions which closely approximate those generallyused in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and have beendetermined to be basic characteristics of Terkapol, which in combinationdistinguish this Gerbera as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Duplex/triplex flower type.

2. Flat flower form.

3. Bright yellow ray floret color.

4. Yellow perianth lobes.

5. Dark purple disc.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, there isnone which can be meaningfully compared to Terkapol and its uniquecombination of characteristics.

The accompanying photograph drawing shows typical inflorescencecharacteristics of Terkapol, with the colors being as nearly true aspossible with illutrations of this type. The photograph comprises acloseup view of the flower form and color of the new cultivar. Thephotograph is relatively dull and fails to capture the bright intenseyellow ray floret color. The color values set forth below are correct.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values weredetermined at approximately 12:00 noon on Nov. 9, 1990 under artificiallight at De Kwakel, The Netherlands.

Classification:

Botanical.--Gerbera jamesonii cv. Terkapol.

Commercial.--Gerbera.

Parentage: Seedling from cross of 87.442 and M88.330.

Plant: The plant when fully grown reaches a height of 40 cm.

Leaf blade:

Length.--Short, 40-45 cm.

Width.--Narrow, 16 cm.

Thickness.--Medium.

Blistering (puckering).--Medium.

Pubescence on upper side.--Sparse (midrib excluded).

Depth of cuts or incisions in leaf.--Near bottom or base: Strong. Nearmiddle: Medium. Near tip: Weak.

Color.--Upper surface of leaf, medium green 137A; lower surface, lightgreen.

Glossiness on upper side.--Weak.

Angle of apex.--Obtuse.

Shape of apex.--Rounded.

Martin of lobes.--Dentate.

Extension of margin.--Absent.

Petiole length.--Medium, 10 cm.

Petiole anthocyanin coloration.--Present, medium in intensity.

Peduncle:

Length.--Medium, 60 cm.

Cross section.--Round, medium thick and strong.

Tendency to fasciation.--Absent.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Color.--Medium green.

Anthocyanin.--Present at base, medium in intensity, none present at tip.

Bracts near tip.--None.

Flower head:

Type.--Duplex/triplex. Single, with dark purple center; generally flatshaped in form.

Diameter from edge to edge.--60-69 mm.

Height.--From point of attachment of involucre to top of flower head ismedium 22 cm.

Involucre.--Height: Medium, 16 mm. Diameter: Small, 27 mm. Number ofbracts: 60; longitudinal axis of bracts of inner rows of involucre isstraight. Anthocyanin: Present on top of inner bracts. Pubescence: Weak.

Outer row of ray florets.--Number in outer row: 40-60 Length of floret:Under 29 mm. Width of floret: 5-9 mm. Shape of floret: Longitudinalfolding medium. Cross section of floret: Concave. Length of free petals:Under 29 mm. Color distribution on inner side: Uniform; edge is of samecolor. Striation: Absent. Claw spot: Present. Color on top side: 12A.Color on bottom side: 8B. Angle of apex: Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded.Incisions of apex: Present, one in number; shallow in depth.

Disc florets.--Diameter: 10-19 mm. Main color in perianth lobes: Yellowfor both male and female flowers. Color (mature and immature): Darkpurple.

Reproductive parts:

Stigma.--Main color, yellow.

Anthers.--Main color: Yellow; color at top lighter relative to otherparts. Longitudinal striping: Present.

Pappus.--Main color: Brown; color at top is red relative to other parts.Orientation: Level of top is the same relative to closed disc florets.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named Terkapol,as illustrated and described.